Detroit Red Wings

The Daily: Torts Offers Harsh Assesstment; Hellberg Starts Tonight

Published

1 year ago

March 21, 2023

Magnus Hellberg (2.96 goals-against average, .902 save percentage) will get the start in goal tonight for the Detroit Red Wings against the St. Louis Blues. Ville Husso is scheduled to play Thursday against the Blues. That’s been the plan after Husso was pulled against the Colorado Avalanche.

Coach Derek Lalonde wanted Husso (3.01, .899) back in the driver’s seat Monday against Florida. Husso has played impressively this season. However, he’s playing more than he has in the past. Husso has 51 appearances this season. He’s never logged more than 42 in a previous professional season. He played 40 in 2021-22 for the Blues.

“We’re going to get him beyond his threshold,” Lalone said. “There’s going to be nights he does not look sharp, like the other night, but there’s going to be nights he’s sharp. I think just getting him past that comfortable level threshold is very valuable going forward.”

Over his past nine appearances, Husso has surrendered 33 goals on 212 shots. That’s an .844 save percentage. Hellberg has been an effective backup goalie. In four of his last six appearances, Hellberg posted a save percentage of .921 or better. GM Steve Yzerman must decide whether to re-sign Hellberg after this season.

Husso gave up five goals against the Panthers, but Lalonde said after the game he was “Good. Fine.”

“He probably reflects our game, (our) team,” Lalonde said. “It was okay but obviously a point shot beat him. This is the National Hockey League. Point shots cannot beat you. Unfortunately, it was the only goal of the second period. With that said, he had some elite saves, which is good. He gave us a chance there at the end.”

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Andrew Copp said the Red Wings need to find a way to inspire each other to play at a higher level.

Simon Edvinsson played even in his second NHL game than his debut game. But he also suffered an injury in that second game.

Behind the pay wall (+): Red Wings are going to play a pair of games against their former teammate Jakub Vrana. He’s off to a strong start with the Blues.

Red Wings’ Next Game

The Red Wings (30-30-9) play tonight on the road against the St. Louis Blues. They play the Blues Thursday at home. Vrana has five goals in his first seven games with the Blues.

Hockey Now Network

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Colorado: With six consecutive wins, the Avalanche may be the NHL’s hottest team. They are certainly playing like a team ready to defend their Stanley Cup championship. Colorado Avalanche.

Florida: Sasha Barkov is now officially the Panthers all-time leading scorer. More importantly, the Florida Panthers are in a playoff spot. Can they keep it.

Montreal: Injured forwards Kirby Dach, Brendan Gallagher and Jake Evans all returned to practice Monday. Montreal Canadiens.

Philadelphia: The always-blunt coach John Tortorella had this assessment of the Flyers: ‘I thing there needs to be some subtraction. Philadephia Flyers.

Pittsburgh: How low can the Penguins go? They need wins and they lost to the Senators. Here is what’s going on with the Pittsburgh Penguins

Vegas: The Golden Kings could have four goalies on their roster for the playoffs. Owen Krepps tries to figure who will start in the postseason for the Vegas Golden Knights?

Washington: The latest on the Evgeny Kuznetsov’s injury and John Carlson’s comeback is four in the Capitals Notebook. Washington Capitals.